BY THE NUMBERS: 122.7 – Cam Newton’s passing rating on thirddown this season, the best in the NFL and ahead of notable players like Peyton Manning (112.7) and Drew Brees (107.0). Newton has completed 34 of 44 passes for 454 yards with three touchdowns and one interception on third down this season.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: The Falcons offensive line against the Panthers defense line. A year ago, Carolina sacked Falcons QB Matt Ryan nine times, including seven in a 30-28 Panthers loss in Atlanta in which Charles Johnson recorded his career-high of 3 1-2 sacks. The Falcons’ offensive line was under fire last week when it rushed for 27 yards and Ryan had 61 pass attempts, was hit 11 times and sacked four times.

NOTABLE: Carolina hasn’t made a turnover in three straight games, which is a franchise-record streak….

Carolina leads the NFL is average time of possession at 33:40 per game. Two key factors to that advantage are the Panthers also lead the league is drives lasting five or more minutes with 14 and have had the fewest three-and-out offensive drives this season with 10….

Seven Panthers are from Georgia, many from the Atlanta-area – linebacker Thomas Davis is from Shellman and also played at the University of Georgia, defensive end Charles Johnson is from Hawkinsville and also played at Georgia, wide receiver Tavarres King is from Mount Airy and also played at Georgia, Cam Newton is from College Park, Armond Smith is from Stone Mountain and fullback Mike Tolbert is from Douglasville….

Eleven Falcons have connections to the Carolinas – offensive tackle Lamar Holmes is from Gastonia’s Hunter Huss High School, defensive assistant Mark Collins was defensive coordinator at Elon in 2005, fullback Patrick DiMarco played at the University of South Carolina, linebacker Omar Gaither is from Charlotte (and played for the Panthers in 2011), defensive end Malliciah Goodman is from Florence, S.C., and played at Clemson, defensive end Cliff Matthews is from Cheraw, S.C., and played at South Carolina, guard Garrett Reynolds played at North Carolina, defensive tackle Travian Robertson is from Laurinburg and played at South Carolina and wide receiver Roddy White is from James Island, S.C.

PREDICTION: Carolina 31, Atlanta 20. The Panthers offense has been mistake-free and efficient in recent weeks and will also likely be adding running back Jonathan Stewart (ankle) to its arsenal. Expect the Falcons and QB Matt Ryan to put up some numbers, but the lack of a running game – Atlanta is last in the league in rushing average – have made the team one-dimensional and easier to defend.